Commutinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/commuting
en-usFri, 18 Aug 2017 01:42:03 -0400Fri, 18 Aug 2017 01:42:03 -0400The latest news on Commuting from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-3-features-specs-design-photos-2017-79 signature features in Tesla's Model 3, an electric car that could change the world (TSLA)http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-3-features-specs-design-photos-2017-7
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 10:00:00 -0400Dave Smith
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/56fe7587dd08953c218b486f-2120-1000/gallery-5.jpg" alt="tesla model 3" data-mce-source="Tesla"></p><p>Tesla <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/tesla-model-3-knocked-it-outo-f-the-park-2016-4">stunned the world last March</a> when it introduced its Model 3 electric car, the company's first affordable vehicle that will finally go into production this year.</p>
<p>Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who shared the first images of the final production version of the Model 3 on Twitter last week, says the first 30 Model 3 customers will receive their cars at a party on July 28. Tesla will reportedly produce around 100 cars in August, more than 1,500 cars in September, and then roughly 20,000 by the end of December.</p>
<p>Shortly after the car was unveiled, Motor Trend got a chance to see the new Model 3 up close and shared its experiences <a href="https://youtu.be/TIh2PjqfXkQ">on YouTube</a>. Understanding some of the thought that went into its design choices might make you appreciate the Model 3 even more.</p>
<p>Here are the nine signature features of Tesla's Model 3:</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-hbos-silicon-valley-gets-real-tech-industry-right-2016-5" >13 ways HBO's 'Silicon Valley' nailed the real tech industry</a></strong></p>
<h3>1. The first feature should make anyone excited: Tesla's Model 3 starts $35,000, and that's before federal tax exemptions.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/56fe7587dd08953c218b4871-400-300/1-the-first-feature-should-make-anyone-excited-teslas-model-3-starts-35000-and-thats-before-federal-tax-exemptions.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>2. The Model 3 is a nimble electric car: It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just six seconds.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56fe7587dd08953c218b4870-400-300/2-the-model-3-is-a-nimble-electric-car-it-can-go-from-0-to-60-miles-per-hour-in-just-six-seconds.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>3. The Model 3 has a starting range of 215 miles, which should accommodate most people's commutes.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/56fe7587dd08953c218b486d-400-300/3-the-model-3-has-a-starting-range-of-215-miles-which-should-accommodate-most-peoples-commutes.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-3-features-specs-design-photos-2017-7#/#tesla-ceo-elon-musk-says-the-more-expensive-versions-of-the-model-3-will-accelerate-faster-and-achieve-longer-range-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/long-commutes-have-an-impact-on-health-and-productivity-2017-5Here's the impact long commutes have on your health and productivityhttp://www.businessinsider.com/long-commutes-have-an-impact-on-health-and-productivity-2017-5
Mon, 22 May 2017 04:55:00 -0400Rebecca Smith
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5922a79ddd0895c5198b46d6-2400/gettyimages-140839125.jpg" alt="london escalator tube underground uk queue subway" data-mce-source="Dan Kitwood/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Commuters make their way on the escalator at Angel underground station on March 5, 2012 in London, England."></p><p>You may have suspected it: now a comprehensive study has confirmed it.</p>
<p>Long commutes are bad for both people's health and productivity.</p>
<p>A study of more than 34,000 workers across all UK industries was developed by VitalityHealth, the University of Cambridge, RAND Europe and Mercer, examined the impact of commuting, along with flexible and homeworking on employee health and productivity.</p>
<p>It found those who commuted to work in under half an hour gain an additional seven days' worth of productive time each year as opposed to those with commutes of an hour or over.</p>
<p>And longer commutes appeared to have a negative impact on mental wellbeing too, with longer-commuting workers 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression, 37 per cent more likely to have financial worries and 12 per cent more likely to report multiple aspects of work-related stress.</p>
<p>They were also 46 per cent more likely to get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night and 21 per cent more likely to be obese, according to the study.</p>
<p>“Time scarcity is a significant cause of stress and unhealthy behaviour across UK employees," said Chris Bailey, partner at Mercer.</p>
<p>“A number of factors combine to create this time scarcity, but carer responsibilities and increased commuting times at peak hours due to a lack of availability of affordable housing close to workplaces, are key issues," he said. "Employers’ can positively impact their employees’ lives by looking at working policies and financial wellness programmes to support those that are juggling multiple commitments."</p>
<p>And while flexible working and homeworking are on the rise, the study found it was flexible working specifically which brought benefits to workers. Those able to work flexibly were less likely to be stressed or depressed and had an extra five productive days a year, compared to those with no flexible working arrangements.</p>
<p>Those who could work from home but didn't have flexible working arrangements were actually the least productive, losing 29 working days a year.</p>
<p>Shaun Subel, director of strategy at VitalityHealth, said:</p>
<p>"Allowing employees the flexibility to avoid the rush-hour commute where possible, or fit their routine around other commitments can help reduce stress and promote healthier lifestyle choices and, importantly, this is shown to actually impact positively on productivity."</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/long-commutes-have-an-impact-on-health-and-productivity-2017-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-watch-solar-eclipse-without-special-glasses-tips-tricks-2017-8">Here's the best way to watch the solar eclipse if you don't have special glasses</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/commuting-is-terrible-2017-4The worst part of your workday probably happens before you even get to the officehttp://www.businessinsider.com/commuting-is-terrible-2017-4
Mon, 24 Apr 2017 09:10:00 -0400Shana Lebowitz
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/579b696288e4a7531b8bb90c-1600/grand-central-rush-hour.jpg" alt="grand central rush hour" data-mce-source="Spencer Platt/Getty Images"></p><p>It's fitting that I'm writing this story on a day when I spent 15 minutes waiting for the train, which never came, meaning I had to walk another 15 minutes in the rain to a different train station.</p>
<p>This story, of course, being a story about commuting — and how <strong>most of us underestimate just how miserable commuting can make us</strong>.</p>
<p>That's according to a team of researchers writing in <a href="https://hbr.org/2017/05/reclaim-your-commute">The Harvard Business Review</a>. They cite <a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160105160709/http:/www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171766_351954.pdf">multiple</a> <a href="https://www.princeton.edu/~kahneman/docs/Publications/Development_DK_ABK_2006.pdf">studies</a> that suggest commuting can be more stressful than actually working, and that the longer your commute, the less satisfied you may be&nbsp;with your job and with life in general.</p>
<p>The researchers also offer a bunch of science-backed strategies for making your commute to work more enjoyable — or at least tolerable.</p>
<p>But the strategy that stood out to me was this: Reduce your commute. As in, move closer to your office or find a job closer to your home.</p>
<p>If you're considering this strategy on a day when your commute went pretty smoothly (i.e. not today, for me), this seems like a silly thing to do. You should choose a job based largely, if not exclusively, on the work you'll be doing there, right?</p>
<p>That is, in fact, what most people think. The researchers mention a yet-unpublished study in which they asked US employees to choose between two job scenarios: "Job 1, with a salary of $67,000 a year and a commuting time of 50 minutes, and Job 2, with a salary of $64,000 and a commuting time of 20 minutes."</p>
<p>According to the researchers, 84% of participants chose Job 1, with the higher salary and longer commute. The researchers call this phenomenon "commuter's bias," or the tendency to downplay the horrors of commuting.</p>
<p>In the study, the researchers checked to see whether participants could calculate exactly how much more they would earn&nbsp;if they chose Job 1: $12 an hour of commuting time. The participants could, in fact, do the math.</p>
<p>The researchers write: "Their responses simply reflected an inability to fully appreciate the psychological, emotional, and physical costs of longer travel times."</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/58fa4d720ba0b8ac008b536d-1819/10630208664c626542e07k.jpg" alt="biking" data-mce-source="Billie Grace Ward/flickr" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwward0/10630208664/">Of course, not everyone is in a position to choose a new job or a new home right now.</p>
<p>In that case, you can make the most of your commute by working up the nerve to chat with fellow passengers (if you take public transportation). <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/people-happier-commuting-when-they-talk-to-strangers-2016-6">One study</a> found that passengers on a Chicago train reported having a much more positive commute when they were prompted to talk to a stranger than when they sat alone or did what they usually did.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-some-people-like-commuting-2016-3">Another study</a>, of Canadian citizens, found that, among people who said commuting was the best part of their day (really!), most were bikers.</p>
<p>You have a few options here — strike up a conversation with another rider; change your mode of transportation; or move to another neighborhood or office.</p>
<p>But the real takeaway is that, sometimes, you <em>should</em> sweat the small stuff. Pay attention to what makes you happy, frustrated, or bored on a regular basis. It might not be something as big as "my career" — and it might be easier to fix than you think.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/people-happier-commuting-when-they-talk-to-strangers-2016-6" >After seeing the results of a clever psychological study, I'm considering making a major change to my daily commute</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/commuting-is-terrible-2017-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/better-commute-less-miserable-cars-rush-hour-2015-2">How to make your commute less miserable</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/tech-commute-tips-2017-26 tech gadgets to help you get through your commutehttp://www.businessinsider.com/tech-commute-tips-2017-2
Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:04:00 -0500Brandt Ranj
<p><em>The </em><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks"><span><em>Insider Picks</em></span></a><em> team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.</em></p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/58a723a701fe58bd3c8b4d90-1051/undefined" alt="commuter hurry rush businessman" data-mce-source="Flickr / Chris Marchant" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forayinto35mm/15807432962/" />Most of us have to commute on a daily basis, and while the experience might not always be frustrating, it's hardly ever fun.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The gadgets on this list will help keep you even-keeled on your way to and from work, whether they help block out the world, or actually make the process of commuting less annoying.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They might not make that hour or two each day fly by, but they'll make sure that time won't&nbsp;crawl.</p>
<hr />
<h2>1.&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2l4KYIN" target="_blank">Noise-cancelling headphones</a></h2>
<p>Dealing with the sounds of the subway <a href="http://amzn.to/2l4KYIN" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/58acb17b5490578d0d8b5db2-500" alt="Sony" data-mce-source="Amazon" /></a>mixed with the idle chatter of other commuters isn't always fun in the early morning hours.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have, and <a href="http://amzn.to/2l4KYIN" target="_blank">Sony's H.ear headphones</a> are among the best I've used.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They're comfortable, sound great, and block out an incredible amount of noise. The only people on the train will be you and the musical artist or podcaster of your choice.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2l4KYIN" target="_blank">Sony H.ear Headphones, $222.80, available at Amazon</a></strong></p>
<hr />
<h2 id="title"><span id="productTitle">2.&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2miWKiG" target="_blank">An external USB battery</a></span></h2>
<p><span><a href="http://amzn.to/2miWKiG" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/58acb30001fe58ae018b5d96-500" alt="Anker battery" data-mce-source="Amazon" /></a>Few things are as frustrating as having your phone die on your commute home. All you want to do is kill time reading those articles you've been putting off all day, and now you're face to face with a blank screen.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>Anker's USB battery is compact&nbsp;enough to fit in a small backpack compartment or purse, and has enough juice to fully recharge most phones a couple of times over.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2miWKiG" target="_blank">Anker PowerCore 10000, $23.99, available at Amazon</a></strong></p>
<hr />
<h2>3.&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2kIQaWC" target="_blank">A handheld game console</a></h2>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2kIQaWC" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/58acb3e501fe58ae018b5da2-500" alt="3DS" data-mce-source="Amazon" /></a>I tend to keep my gaming to home consoles these days, but I have friends who&nbsp;swear by playing games on their commute.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Nintendo 3DS has an exceptional library of games, and can still be slipped in and out of a backpack pocket or purse with ease. If you haven't owned a Nintendo handheld in a little while, you'll need to buy a <a href="http://amzn.to/2l52vAy" target="_blank">power adapter for this one,</a> but after that it's smooth sailing.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2kIQaWC" target="_blank">Nintendo 3DS, $226, available at Amazon</a></strong></p>
<hr />
<h2>4.&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2miXgx6" target="_blank">A clear iPhone 7 case</a></h2>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2miXgx6" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/58acb57001fe58ae018b5dae-500" alt="Clear case" data-mce-source="Amazon" /></a>A clear iPhone case might seem like a weird commuter-centric choice, unless you've ridden&nbsp;the train twice a day during the winter.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Instead of reaching into your pocket for your wallet, you can slip your train ticket into the clear case and flash it to the&nbsp;conductor.&nbsp;This saves time and frustration, especially since most of us have our phones in our hands while commuting.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2miXgx6" target="_blank">iXCC iPhone 7 Case, $7.99, available at Amazon</a></strong>&nbsp;</p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>5.&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2mjenPw" target="_blank">A Kindle e-Reader</a></strong></h2>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2mjenPw" target="_blank"><em><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/58acb79854905775078b542b-500" alt="Kindle" data-mce-source="Amazon" /></em></a>If you prefer to reading to listening to music, you should pick up an e-reader; and there's a reason that when you hear the term e-reader you think Kindle.</p>
<p>It's light, can hold thousands of books, and has weeks-long battery life. Its e-ink screen makes it easy to read even in bright sunlight, and it won't strain your eyes like a traditional screen would.</p>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2mjenPw" target="_blank"><strong>Kindle E-Reader, $79.99, available at Amazon</strong></a></p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>6.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everlane.com/products/mens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim?clickId=1884438180&amp;collection=mens-backpacks-bags&amp;utm_campaign=133628&amp;utm_medium=8-9711&amp;utm_source=pepperjam" target="_blank">Everlane's Modern Commuter Backpack</a></strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://www.everlane.com/products/mens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim?clickId=1884438180&amp;collection=mens-backpacks-bags&amp;utm_campaign=133628&amp;utm_medium=8-9711&amp;utm_source=pepperjam" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/58acb88554905724008b600f-500" alt="Backpack" data-mce-source="Everlane" /></a>Ok, so this isn't a piece of technology, but it is tech-<em>adjacent.</em> If you pick up any of the other products on this list, you're going to need somewhere to put them.&nbsp;</p>
<p>My commuting bag of choice for the past few months has been <a href="https://www.everlane.com/products/mens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim?clickId=1884438180&amp;collection=mens-backpacks-bags&amp;utm_campaign=133628&amp;utm_medium=8-9711&amp;utm_source=pepperjam" target="_blank">Everlane's Modern Commuter backpack</a>. It's big enough to hold a laptop, a book or two, and several gadgets and headphones while still being small and manageable.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The biggest compliment I can pay this backpack is that it's earned me a couple of style compliments, and doesn't make&nbsp;feel cumbersome on a crowded train.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.everlane.com/products/mens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim?clickId=1884438180&amp;collection=mens-backpacks-bags&amp;utm_campaign=133628&amp;utm_medium=8-9711&amp;utm_source=pepperjam" target="_blank"><strong>Everlane Modern Commuter backpack, $68, available from Everlane</strong></a></p><p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/must-have-travel-tech-accessories-2016-6" >10 must-have travel tech accessories</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-tech-accessories-under-20-dollars-2016-5" >20 must-have tech accessories under $20</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tech-commute-tips-2017-2#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-worlds-worst-commutes-traffic-2016-1237 photos that will make you grateful for your commutehttp://www.businessinsider.com/photos-worlds-worst-commutes-traffic-2016-12
Wed, 28 Dec 2016 11:10:00 -0500Leanna Garfield
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/547df1d56da811370e10debb-1200-750/ap702541456921.jpg" alt="AP702541456921" border="0" /></p><p>The average American spends <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/02/the-american-commuter-spends-38-hours-a-year-stuck-in-traffic/272905/" target="_blank">38 hours a year stuck</a> in traffic &mdash; or&nbsp;<a href="http://time.com/2821738/los-angeles-traffic-study/">90 hours a year</a>&nbsp;if you live in LA.</p>
<p>Those numbers&nbsp;get worse in the world's megacities: Commuters in <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1778893/worst-commutes-around-world" target="_blank">Mexico City, Moscow, and Beijing</a> can sit&nbsp;in traffic for hours every day. Here are a few gripping images of those journeys.</p>
<p><em>Drake Baer and&nbsp;Alex Davies contributed to an earlier version of this article.</em></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-home-libraries-2016-8" >10 of the most incredible home libraries around the world</a></strong></p>
<h3>Thousands of people commute to work in Bangladesh by boat. Here, residents of Dhaka take out their umbrellas.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/538e17d6eab8eac734248e94-400-300/thousands-of-people-commute-to-work-in-bangladesh-by-boat-here-residents-of-dhaka-take-out-their-umbrellas.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>The security checks during rush hour in Beijing make for insanely long lines. The checks have been tightened due to an attack in China's Xinjiang region, where dozens were killed in May 2014.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5384a066ecad040409dfdb95-400-300/the-security-checks-during-rush-hour-in-beijing-make-for-insanely-long-lines-the-checks-have-been-tightened-due-to-an-attack-in-chinas-xinjiang-region-where-dozens-were-killed-in-may-2014.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><span>&nbsp;</span></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>It doesn't get much easier once you're actually on the train.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/547de4e1ecad0497146044d9-400-300/it-doesnt-get-much-easier-once-youre-actually-on-the-train.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-worlds-worst-commutes-traffic-2016-12#/#getting-home-from-work-in-beijing-is-a-bit-of-a-zoo-too-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/best-commuter-backpack-everlane-2016-8We tested what might be one of the most practical backpacks out therehttp://www.businessinsider.com/best-commuter-backpack-everlane-2016-8
Mon, 05 Dec 2016 17:30:00 -0500Ellen Hoffman
<p><em>The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank">Insider Picks</a> team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57b34b3dce38f237008b70dc-1513/f1407718_43bc.jpg" alt="f1407718_43bc" data-mce-source="Everlane" /></a>We spend a lot of time and money trying&nbsp;to make our daily commutes to work a little easier and more enjoyable.</p>
<p>Whether that's&nbsp;purchasing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sony-hear-best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-commuters-2016-8" target="_blank">a pair of noise-cancelling headphones</a> to drown out temperamental toddlers and other people&rsquo;s conversations on the subway or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-case-wallet-alternative-2015-9" target="_blank">a phone case that doubles as a wallet </a>to make your office ID and MetroCard more readily accessible or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-mens-dress-shoes-paul-evans-martin-wholecut-leather-oxford-review-2016-7" target="_blank">a pair of dress shoes that won't kill your feet</a>, the little things can make a huge difference in the mornings.</p>
<p>In this vein, a few lucky members of the&nbsp;Insider Picks team were&nbsp;excited to try out <a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank">Everlane's new backpack, which was made specifically with the modern commuter in mind</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/everlane-clothing-startup-spotlight-2016-3" target="_blank">We've already talked at length about why we&nbsp;like Everlane</a><span>. To reiterate, though,&nbsp;</span><span>Everlane isn't your traditional clothing retailer.&nbsp;</span><span>Unlike the J.Crews and Banana Republics of the industry, high clothing markups are nonexistent at Everlane; instead, the company promotes transparency.&nbsp;</span><span>On its website, the retailer breaks down <a href="http://www.pjtra.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-all%2Fproducts%2Fmens-sweatshirt-hoodie-pull-grey-marled" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">how much it costs</a></span><span>&nbsp;to make its clothing and accessories (labor, materials, transporting the apparel, and duties). It compares its prices with those of traditional retailers. The Modern Commuter Backpack we're&nbsp;recommending, for instance, goes for $68 at Everlane, and Everlane claims traditional retailers would sell it&nbsp;for $160.</span>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Transparent pricing aside, the backpack is great for a host of others reasons. Most importantly for commuters, <strong>Everlane's backpack doesn't feel overly casual for the typical office.</strong> At Business Insider's NYC headquarters, which adheres to a business causal dress code, it feels far from out of place. Below, our testers go so far as to call it one of the most stylish, practical, tech-friendly, and affordable backpacks currently on the market.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57b33dfadb5ce94f008b702a-924/20160802_the_commuter_backpack_revdnm68_desk.jpg" alt="20160802_the_commuter_backpack_revdnm68_desk" data-mce-source="Everlane" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Tester #1: Breton Fischetti, senior director, commerce:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Compared to my old backpack, the construction of this one feels very solid, and I like the minimalist design and lack of visible branding. The fabric is thick and durable. The backpack looks and feels high-quality. The zippers stay put and don't feel like they're going to break when the bag is overstuffed.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The slim design is great for commuting because it isn't too bulky to carry in a crowd. &nbsp;It also fits more than you would expect for a relatively slim design. I was able to carry a rolled up yoga mat securely while biking. The mat stuck out of the top, but&nbsp;I didn&rsquo;t have to worry that the zippers were going to fall down. There's also a padded pouch on the inside that's great for carrying a laptop safely.</p>
<p><strong>Tester #2: Ellen Hoffman, commerce editor:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I'm a big fan of Herschel Supply Co.'s backpacks, but so is everyone else these days. I can't tell you how many of them I spot on my commute to work&nbsp;every day. Everlane's backpack is much less ubiquitous. It's also one of the most stylish and tech-friendly backpacks I've come across&nbsp;for under $100 &mdash; usually it's one or the other, it's&nbsp;hardly ever&nbsp;both. I'm not the backpack-carrying type during the workweek; I prefer my purse. But I've brought this backpack on my most recent weekend trips, and it's nice to be able to know where all of my stuff is and access it quickly and efficiently.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Tester #3: Brandt Ranj, commerce reporter, tech:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">As someone who&rsquo;s always fallen on the messenger bag side of the "backpack or messenger bag" question, I&rsquo;m surprised at much much I like this backpack. It&rsquo;s on the smaller size, which would typically make it a non-starter, but its large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop with some accessories. I find its small, front-side zipper pocket to be very useful for cables and a USB battery pack. It also doesn&rsquo;t hurt that it&rsquo;s definitely the most stylish backpack I&rsquo;ve ever owned. I use it daily on my commute, but have also brought it on weekend trips back home.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57b34b7cce38f221008b711a-1580/cd243b28_cbe1.jpg" alt="cd243b28_cbe1" data-mce-source="Everlane" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Everlane's <a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank">Modern Commuter Backpack</a>&nbsp;retails for $68&nbsp;and comes in three great colors, navy, black, and gray. &nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><em>This article was originally published on 8/16/2016.&nbsp;</em></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-hoodie-zip-up-sweatshirt-for-men-everlane-2016-4" >We tested what might be one of the best hoodies out there</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/vinyl-me-please-subscription-service-music-record-player-review-2016-10" >I tried out the perfect subscription box for record lovers</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-commuter-backpack-everlane-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/french-floating-gym-powered-exercising-commuters-2016-11Paris could be getting a floating gym with a viewhttp://www.businessinsider.com/french-floating-gym-powered-exercising-commuters-2016-11
Fri, 02 Dec 2016 09:31:58 -0500Rob Ludacer
<p>A new concept could bring a floating gym to the waters <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/julien-nonnon-le-baiser-kissing-couples-art-project-paris-french-kiss-2016-10">of Paris</a>. The Human Powered Gym is a transportation concept by <a href="http://www.carloratti.com/" target="_blank">Carlo Ratti Associati</a> aiming to portray how human energy has the potential to power vehicles in the future. The 65-foot floating gym would be powered by its occupants, as well as supplementary solar panels, and could travel <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/paris-flooded-france-water-river-seine-2016-6">up and down the Seine</a>.</p>
<p><span><strong>Follow Tech Insider:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/techinsider">On Facebook</a></span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/french-floating-gym-powered-exercising-commuters-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cities-where-americans-commute-the-longest-2016-1125 cities where Americans commute the mosthttp://www.businessinsider.com/cities-where-americans-commute-the-longest-2016-11
Wed, 02 Nov 2016 12:30:00 -0400Rachel Gillett
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/56e0705d91058424008b53a3-1829-1372/12692287295_aec1f4d95e_k.jpg" alt="subway, commute" data-mce-source="Matteo Merzi/flickr" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/117756607@N03/12692287295/in/photostream/" /></p><p>In the US, <a href="http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk">most working Americans</a> &mdash; about 108 million of them &mdash; drive alone in a car, truck, or van to get to work. On average, Americans commute about 25 minutes each way to and from work.</p>
<p>But when you live in a major US city like New York City or Los Angeles, how you get from point A to point B changes significantly.</p>
<p>And in most highly populated cities, even if you're only traveling a mere mile or so, you wind up spending more of your life commuting.</p>
<p>Using <a href="https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/data-profiles/2014/">data collected from the US Census Bureau</a>, <span>personal-finance site </span><a href="https://wallethub.com/">WalletHub</a> ranked 116 of the most populated cities based on the average number of minutes residents spend traveling from home to work. Using <a href="https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/data-profiles/2014/">that same data</a>, Business Insider also looked at how people commute to and from work in each city.</p>
<p>Here's how the 25 cities with the longest commute times stack up:</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-apps-for-your-daily-commute-2016-10" >13 apps that will make your commute more tolerable, according to my coworkers</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jobs-you-should-avoid-if-you-dont-want-to-work-a-lot-2016-10" >13 jobs you should avoid if you don’t want to work a lot</a></strong></p>
<h3>25. San Jose, California</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5818faefb28a641c008b62da-400-300/25-san-jose-california.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average minutes spent&nbsp;commuting&nbsp;to work:</strong>&nbsp;26.6</p>
<p>Most San Jose commuters travel by&nbsp;<span>driving alone, followed by carpooling.</span></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>23. (tie) Stockton, California</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5818fad6b28a642b008b62b9-400-300/23-tie-stockton-california.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average minutes spent&nbsp;commuting&nbsp;to work:</strong>&nbsp;26.8</p>
<p>Most Stockton commuters travel by&nbsp;<span>driving alone, followed by carpooling.</span></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>23. (tie) Detroit, Michigan</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5818fab2b28a6471188b5836-400-300/23-tie-detroit-michigan.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><strong>Average minutes spent&nbsp;commuting&nbsp;to work:</strong>&nbsp;26.8</p>
<p>Most Detroit commuters travel by&nbsp;<span>driving alone, followed by carpooling, and then public transportation.</span></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cities-where-americans-commute-the-longest-2016-11#/#21-tie-glendale-arizona-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-subway-stations-2016-10The 12 most unique subway stations around the worldhttp://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-subway-stations-2016-10
Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:29:00 -0400Sarah Schmalbruch
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5812291cdd0895d50f8b4b5f-1829/astor place subway station.jpg" alt="Astor Place Subway Station" data-mce-source="marnalbano / Flickr" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/malbano/2394492932/" /></p><p></p>
<p><strong>The INSIDER Summary:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Not all subway stations are gross and dilapidated.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The infographic below shows 12 of the most unique stations around the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>Commuting on the subway isn't something that most people look forward to.</p>
<p>But there are some subway stations around the world that might&nbsp;change that.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pettitts.co.uk/">Pettitts</a>, an independent travel company based in the UK, created an <a href="https://www.pettitts.co.uk/blog/around-the-world-in-12-subway-stations">infographic</a>&nbsp;featuring 12 of the most beautiful subway stations around the globe.</p>
<p>From a station in Dubai that makes you feel like you're underwater to a station in Russia complete with chandeliers and columns, keep scrolling to see stations worth traveling for.<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5812291cdd0895d50f8b4b60/12 unique subway stations around the world infographic.png" alt="12 Unique Subway Stations Around the World Infographic" data-mce-source="Pettitts" data-link="https://www.pettitts.co.uk/blog/around-the-world-in-12-subway-stations" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-subway-stations-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/details-game-of-thrones-season-7-episode-4-hbo-jon-snow-daenerys-2017-8">8 details you might have missed on season 7 episode 4 of 'Game of Thrones'</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-apps-for-your-daily-commute-2016-1013 apps that will make your commute more tolerable, according to my coworkershttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-apps-for-your-daily-commute-2016-10
Mon, 24 Oct 2016 09:57:00 -0400Rachel Gillett
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/580a6e2c8d83b437008b61c5-2295/subway.jpg" alt="subway" data-mce-source="Andrew Burton/Getty" data-mce-caption="Subway passengers waiting for their train to arrive." data-link="http://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?agreementtypes=pa,ed&amp;artist=andrew%20burton&amp;family=editorial&amp;sort=best&amp;excludenudity=true#license" /></p><p>For most working Americans, commuting is just an accepted part of our&nbsp;daily existence.</p>
<p><span><a href="https://www.census.gov/">According to US Census data</a>, the average American spends almost&nbsp;an hour commuting every work day. A<span>bout 127 million of commuters&nbsp;do so by&nbsp;driving, either alone or in a carpool, in a car, truck, or van, while almost 8 million&nbsp;use public transportation.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>With so many people spending so much time commuting, I&nbsp;wondered about some of the ways people make their commute more tolerable. My personal choice is to post up against a wall somewhere on the subway and knit while listening to a booke on Audible, but of course, that option really isn't for everyone.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>So, being that&nbsp;I work for a fairly tech-obsessed online publication, I decided to ask my colleagues to share the apps they can't live without on their daily commute. To be fair, not a whole lot of my colleagues commute to and from work by driving, but many of their suggestions could work just as well in a car as on the subway or train.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Here's what they had to share:</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>&nbsp;</span></span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cities-where-americans-have-the-longest-commute-to-work-2016-3/" >The 20 cities where Americans have the longest commute to work</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-cities-where-americans-work-the-hardest-2016-3" >The 20 cities where Americans work the hardest</a></strong></p>
<h3>NYTimes</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/580a8e26c5240225008b6452-400-300/nytimes.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Emily Cohn, a senior business editor at Business Insider, has a commute that consists of two 35&nbsp;to&nbsp;40 minute subway rides with no service.</p>
<p>She says:&nbsp;"You can download the entire day's newspaper before your ride so it's all available offline. There's also a great morning news digest at the top of the app that's a good rundown of the day's top news and it only takes two to three minutes to read."</p>
<p><strong>Cost:</strong> Free to download; subscriptions start at $3.75 per week</p>
<p><strong>Available on:</strong> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nytimes-breaking-local-national/id284862083?mt=8">iPhone</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nytimes.android&amp;hl=en">Android</a></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>CityMapper</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/580a8e2ec52402eb6b8b5e2d-400-300/citymapper.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Clinton Nguyen, Business Insider's innovation intern, commutes for about&nbsp;30 minutes each way on the subway.</p>
<p>He says:&nbsp;"By now we all know the persistent vagaries and delays the trains hand us daily &mdash; CityMapper makes the trip a lot better by actively tracking the lines so I don&rsquo;t have to. Plus, it tells me why there&rsquo;s been a delay so I can figure out if I should just wait it out or seek alternative routes, which it also conveniently provides."</p>
<p><strong>Cost:</strong> Free</p>
<p><strong>Available on:</strong> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/citymapper-ultimate-transit/id469463298?mt=8">iPhone</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citymapper.app.release&amp;hl=en">Android</a></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Podcasts</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/514c4dc4eab8ea8b69000001-400-300/podcasts.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Before working from home, Daniel McMahon commuted for about an hour on the train if he wasn't biking to work.</p>
<p>He says:&nbsp;"The one app I liked best, at least in recent years, has been the 'Podcasts' app that comes with iPhones. I would have podcasts already downloaded when I got on the train, and I could listen to any number of podcasts to suit my mood &mdash; comedy, news, features, interviews, sports, etc."</p>
<p><strong>Cost:</strong> <span>Free to download</span></p>
<p><strong>Available on:</strong> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/podcasts/id525463029?mt=8">iPhone</a></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-apps-for-your-daily-commute-2016-10#/#starbucks-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/bizarre-ostrich-neck-pillow-change-how-we-sleep-on-airplanes-2016-10This 'Ostrich Pillow' could make sleeping on flights much betterhttp://www.businessinsider.com/bizarre-ostrich-neck-pillow-change-how-we-sleep-on-airplanes-2016-10
Sun, 23 Oct 2016 10:00:00 -0400Rob Ludacer
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<p>It's a known <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/interrupted-sleep-may-be-worse-for-your-mood-than-less-sleep-2015-10">problem</a> that 35% of <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/how-smartphone-light-affects-your-brain-and-body-2015-9">people aren't getting enough sleep</a>. One company hopes to change that by <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/dirtiest-object-bedroom-is-your-mattress-2015-10">making naps</a> more feasible throughout the day. <a href="http://studiobananathings.com/" target="_blank">Studio Banana Things</a>, known for their outlandish Ostrich Pillow, has begun selling the Ostrich Pillow Light, a smaller and travel-sized version. The 360˚ pillow can cover your forehead, eyes, or neck to help you get that <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/casper-mattress-pillow-sheets-2015-11">perfect snoozing angle</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Follow Tech Insider:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/techinsider">On Facebook</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bizarre-ostrich-neck-pillow-change-how-we-sleep-on-airplanes-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-approves-ferry-tideline-2016-10San Francisco's subway is so packed, people will soon pay $16 a day to take 'water taxis' to workhttp://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-approves-ferry-tideline-2016-10
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 16:25:00 -0400Melia Robinson
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57fbe2d14046dd98168b49f3-1400/tideline-san-francisco-ferry-water-taxi-2.jpg" alt="tideline san francisco ferry water taxi 2" data-mce-source="Facebook/TidelineSF" data-link="https://www.facebook.com/TidelineSF/photos" /></p><p>San Francisco, the birthplace of innovation, is looking to an old-school transit system to ease subway congestion: ferries.</p>
<p>Over the weekend, <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Water-taxi-service-approved-for-SF-Berkeley-runs-9956460.php?cmpid=twitter-premium">the city gave</a> two private "water taxi" companies, Tideline Marine Group and PROP SF, the green-light to begin scheduled commuter runs across the San Francisco Bay.</p>
<p>If they opt into the Tideline service, passengers will board one of a handful of ferries in Berkeley, California (with more pick-up locations coming at a later date) and reach their destination at San Francisco's <span>Pier 15</span> in only 20 minutes, <a href="https://tidelinetickets.com/commuter-shuttle/">according to Tideline's website</a>. The company plans to charge <a href="https://tidelinetickets.com/commuter-shuttle/">$8 one-way</a> and will hit the water later this month.</p>
<p>Instead of squeezing into a jam-packed subway car for half an hour, water-taxi commuters will sprawl across 40-person vessels, complete with free WiFi, flatscreen televisions, and beverage service.</p>
<p>PROP SF promises 12-minute transit times from Emeryville to San Francisco when it launches in early 2017. Eventually, <span>routes connecting Berkeley and Emeryville with Redwood City and San Francisco will also be added.</span> Its vessels <a href="http://www.propsf.net/the-boats/">seat up 99 people</a> at prices comparable to Tideline.</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57fbe3104046dd1b008b4bcb-973/tideline-san-francisco-ferry-water-taxi-5.jpg" alt="tideline san francisco ferry water taxi 5" data-mce-source="Facebook/TidelineSF" data-link="https://www.facebook.com/TidelineSF/photos" /></p>
<p><span style="background-color: #ffcc00;"></span>By adding a private tier on top of the city's existing ferry services, San Francisco <a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/09/30/private-ferry-commuter-service-coming-to-san-francisco-bay/">will hopefully</a> shuffle more commuters out of its incredibly congested subways and get people to work faster.</p>
<p>Existing public ferry systems make frequent runs throughout the Bay Area. The northern side of the Easy Bay has been largely ignored, however.</p>
<p>The Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay Ferry systems handled some 15,000 passengers a day in 2015. That's still less than 1% of all city transit tracked by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in 2015, a spokesperson for the agency <a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/09/30/private-ferry-commuter-service-coming-to-san-francisco-bay/">tells local news network KQED</a>.</p>
<p>The demand for ferries is growing, though, as more commuters look for alternatives to driving and other forms of public transportation. The Bay Ferry will add <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Water-taxi-service-approved-for-SF-Berkeley-runs-9956460.php?cmpid=twitter-premium">two new boats</a> and <a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/09/30/private-ferry-commuter-service-coming-to-san-francisco-bay/">service to Richmond and Treasure Island</a> before 2022, broadening its regional service. A one-way ticket <a href="https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/fares-and-tickets">costs</a> $6.50.</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57fbe1ff4046ddf8008b4bbb-2160/ap_677054331334.jpg" alt="san francisco bay ferry people standing in line" data-mce-source="Eric Risberg/AP" data-mce-caption="With the BART transit system on strike, people wait in line to catch a ferry to San Francisco Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, from Jack London Square in Oakland, Calif. San Francisco Bay Area commuters started the new work week on Monday with gridlocked roadways and long lines for buses and ferries as a major transit strike entered its fourth day." /></p>
<p>The proprietors of the new ferry services, PROP SF and Tideline, say the expansion will not stretch far enough to meet demand.</p>
<p>"We have an untapped waterway," James Jaber, CEO of PROP SF, <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Water-taxi-service-approved-for-SF-Berkeley-runs-9956460.php?cmpid=twitter-premium">tells the San Francisco Chronicle</a>. "Unlike the bigger lines, we can offer cities an inexpensive look at public ferries without a 10-year, multimillion-dollar commitment on their part."</p>
<p>Because PROP SF and Tideline are private operations, they <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Water-taxi-service-approved-for-SF-Berkeley-runs-9956460.php?cmpid=twitter-premium">receive no public subsidies</a>. The companies will rely on commuters who can afford the near $20 round-trip fare to keep them afloat. For comparison, a <a href="https://www.bart.gov/tickets/calculator">round-trip ride</a> on the city's subway system, BART, costs $8 for a similar trip from downtown Berkeley to the Embarcadero.</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57fbe26f4046dd1b008b4bb9-1244/tideline-san-francisco-ferry-water-taxi-1.jpg" alt="tideline san francisco ferry water taxi 1" data-mce-source="Facebook/TidelineSF" data-link="https://www.facebook.com/TidelineSF/photos" /></p>
<p>Tideline currently operates an on-demand system where groups of 10 or more passengers can book a private charter across the Bay. It also offers cocktail cruises and rides from Marin and the East Bay to the ballpark during San Francisco Giants games.</p>
<p><span>"We want to build a water highway,"</span><span> </span><span>Taylor Lewis, founder and CEO of Tideline, <a href="http://www.dailycal.org/2016/08/03/water-taxi-service-tideline-looks-to-expand-operations-in-berkeley/">tells The Daily Californian</a>, a student-run newspaper out of University of California &ndash; Berkeley.</span><span> "</span><span>Our service is operational right now, but we're trying to redefine how waterfront transportation works."</span></p>
<p><span>The company is currently selling six-packs of one-way tickets on <a href="https://www.tilt.com/tilts/richmondsf-private-commuter-pass-6pack">crowdfunding website Tilt</a>,. Only 58 customers bought in, as of writing.</span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/silicon-valley-seasteading-institute-2016-9" >Silicon Valley's dream of a floating, isolated city might actually happen</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-approves-ferry-tideline-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/real-estate-bizarre-house-san-francisco-california-suburb-2016-7">No one wants to buy this bizarre house in a wealthy San Francisco suburb</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-bart-cash-rewards-2016-9San Francisco's subway is so packed it's paying people to not commute at rush hourhttp://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-bart-cash-rewards-2016-9
Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:46:00 -0400Melia Robinson
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57d1acdfb996eb97008b6b05-2400/rtr4wkz6.jpg" alt="bay area rapid transit bart san francisco" data-mce-source="Robert Galbraith/Reuters" data-mce-caption="A Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train makes its way along the tracks in Oakland, California April 8, 2015."></p><p></p>
<p>San Franciscans know riding the city's subway system, known as BART, before 9 a.m. is roughly the equivalent of being trapped inside a Russian nesting doll made up of sardine cans.</p>
<p>You emerge from the station hot, sweaty, and usually late to work.</p>
<p>In an effort to make the trains less crowded, BART is <a href="http://www.7x7.com/bart-will-pay-cash-rewards-for-changing-your-commute-hours-1993463500.html?utm_source=7x7+List&amp;utm_campaign=e10429e638-7x7_Newsletter_08_17_16&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_f27205de8b-e10429e638-185601673&amp;ct=t">rolling out a new program</a> that pays riders cash for commuting outside of rush hour. The payout is marginal, but city-dwellers will likely welcome any solution that shortens the ridiculous lines at the station platforms.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://bartperks.com/">BART Perks program</a> awards points per mile traveled on BART during "bonus hours," which happen Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.</p>
<p>Sounds simple enough, but the program requires a <a href="https://bartperks.com/static/bartperks/files/faq.pdf">four-page Frequently Asked Questions document</a> to fully explain how it works. Participants are assigned a status — bronze, silver, gold, or platinum — based on how they often travel during bonus hours.</p>
<p>A thousand points can be exchanged for $1. (A thousand!)</p>
<p>I commute from Oakland to San Francisco's SoMa District via BART five days a week. I have no way of knowing how many track miles I travel. For argument's sake, let's say the trip stretches nine miles — a conservative estimate <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/19th+St+Oakland+Station,+1900+Broadway,+Oakland,+CA+94612/Montgomery+St.+Station/@37.8060379,-122.3698355,13z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x808f80b26125bae3:0xc70cf4009829c14c!2m2!1d-122.2686038!2d37.8083586!1m5!1m1!1s0x8085808831c3eea1:0x87da56df4639fb88!2m2!1d-122.4011439!2d37.7893476!3e0">based on the driving distance</a> between stations.</p>
<p>As a bronze-status, or entry-level, member, I would earn three points per mile for a total of 27 points. By the end of the month, my payout comes to $1 and change in points.</p>
<p>Commuters can also spend their rewards points by playing an online, Monopoly-like game where you travel across the board to win random cash prizes, ranging from $1 to $100.</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57d1abc3b996eb7a018b6b90-2400/gettyimages-184699702.jpg" alt="bay area rapid transit bart san francisco" data-mce-source="Justin Sullivan/Getty" data-mce-caption="Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) passengers pay for tickets on October 15, 2013 in San Francisco, California. BART management and union leaders with Bay the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 and the SEIU Local 1021 continue to negotiate a new contract for workers as the threat of a transit strike continues to loom over the heads of Bay Area commuters. BART, the nation's fifth-largest commuter rail system, carries nearly 400,000 passengers every weekday."></p>
<p>San Francisco isn't the first to engineer an incentives program in an effort to ameliorate traffic (foot traffic or otherwise). Major metro areas like Los Angeles and the Bay Area offer congestion pricing on some freeways, so drivers willing to shell out can ride in the carpool lane. London, Stockholm, Singpore, and Milan have enacted similar pricing schemes.</p>
<p>The program in San Francisco is <a href="https://bartperks.com/static/bartperks/files/faq.pdf">set to run out in February</a>, when BART officials will evaluate its impact and determine next steps. Watch the promotional video below:</p>
<p><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/67lmdSQzRgE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-san-francisco-before-tech-boom-2016-8" >Take a look at these amazing photos of San Francisco before the first tech boom</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-bart-cash-rewards-2016-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/real-estate-bizarre-house-san-francisco-california-suburb-2016-7">No one wants to buy this bizarre house in a wealthy San Francisco suburb</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/8-podcasts-that-can-make-your-morning-commute-enjoyable-2016-88 podcasts that could radically change your commute for the betterhttp://www.businessinsider.com/8-podcasts-that-can-make-your-morning-commute-enjoyable-2016-8
Fri, 26 Aug 2016 15:04:00 -0400Kells McPhillips
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57b74b16db5ce925008b7d1e-1117/morning commute.jpg" alt="Morning commute" data-mce-source="Mario Tama/Getty Images" /></p><p>Whether your a city-dweller or a suburbanite &mdash; your commute to work can sometimes feel like a job in and of itself.</p>
<p>Those minutes (and sometimes hours) that tick away&nbsp;between leaving for work and arriving in the office not only feels like wasted time, it can have a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.everup.com/2016/02/29/commuter-hacks-mental-and-physical-health/">major impact&nbsp;on both your mental and physical health</a>.</p>
<p>But what if you could use your commute as an opportunity&nbsp;to&nbsp;learn something new, get inspired for the day ahead, or even get lost in a gut-wrenching real-life murder mystery?</p>
<p>Once again, the all-encompassing&nbsp;world of podcasts can help you do just that. No matter your interests, there&rsquo;s a podcast to help you pass your commute time with ease.</p>
<p>Pack your charger &mdash; your phone&rsquo;s going to be working overtime with these eight podcasts&nbsp;that will make you wish your commute was longer:</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/who-gets-hired-at-bridgewater-2016-8" >Aspiring 'finance bros' may have a hard time getting a job at the world's biggest hedge fund</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dan-pink-what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-job-2016-4" >Bestselling business author Dan Pink shares 2 simple exercises to make work bearable if you hate your job</a></strong></p>
<p><h2><span>10% Happier with Dan Harris</span></h2>
<p>Can you be ambitious and still strive for enlightenment? <em>This</em>&nbsp;is the question Dan Harris &mdash; ABC news anchor&nbsp;and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18505796-10-happier">10% Happier</a><em>&nbsp;&mdash;</em>&nbsp;seeks to unravel in his <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821?mt=2">weekly podcast</a>. After having a panic attack on live television, Harris dubiously turned to meditation as a possible solution for making his life the slightest bit, well, happier. The rest is history. Now, Harris interviews everyone from the <a href="https://player.fm/series/10-happier-with-dan-harris/1-dalai-lama">Dalai Lama</a> to <a href="https://player.fm/series/10-happier-with-dan-harris/21-arianna-huffington">Arianna Huffington</a>, attempting to understand how we can balance our success with the ultimate goal of our meditation practice.</p>
<p>Listen to <a href="http://www.mariobatali.com/">Chef Mario Batali&rsquo;s</a>&nbsp;take on why meditation is an essential aspect of his morning routine.</p></p>
<br/><br/><p><h2><span>Serial</span></h2>
<p>If you haven&rsquo;t jumped on the bandwagon yet &mdash; and you&rsquo;re addicted to Dateline, 48 Hours, or just the ID channel in general &mdash; this is <a href="https://serialpodcast.org/">the podcast</a> for you. One chilling murder investigation is broken up into a season of real life red herons and shocking turns. By the end, you&rsquo;ll be feverishly downloading the&nbsp;<a href="https://serialpodcast.org/season-two/listening-guide">second season</a>, while still in total shock over the finale of season one.</p>
<p>Here&rsquo;s a sneak peak into the <a href="https://serialpodcast.org/season-one">first season</a> of this series. Start listening now:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s Baltimore, 1999. Hae Min Lee, a popular high-school senior, disappears after school one day. Six weeks later detectives arrest her classmate and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, for her murder. He says he&rsquo;s innocent &ndash; though he can&rsquo;t exactly remember what he was doing on that January afternoon. But someone can. A classmate at Woodlawn High School says she knows where Adnan was. The trouble is, she&rsquo;s nowhere to be found.&rdquo;</em></p>
<h3><span>&nbsp;</span></h3></p>
<br/><br/><p><h2><span>Modern Love</span></h2>
<p>A complete 180 in subject matter from the previous podcast, this <a href="http://www.npr.org/podcasts/469516571/modern-love">NPR favorite</a> will have you, &ldquo;fall in love at&nbsp;first listen.&rdquo; Based off&nbsp;the popular New York Times&nbsp;column sharing the same name, each episode includes&nbsp;a reading from a notable essayist or personality that explores the parameters of love.</p>
<p>Pass your next train ride with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvboQW3QOvM">Katie Couric&rsquo;s reading</a> of <a href="http://www.leslielehr.com/">Leslie Lehr</a>&lsquo;s Modern Love essay.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/8-podcasts-that-can-make-your-morning-commute-enjoyable-2016-8#/#-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-worlds-most-extreme-commutes-2016-835 photos that will make you grateful for your commutehttp://www.businessinsider.com/photos-worlds-most-extreme-commutes-2016-8
Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:05:00 -0400Leanna Garfield
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/547df1d56da811370e10debb-1200-750/ap702541456921.jpg" alt="AP702541456921" border="0" /></p><p>The average American spends <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/02/the-american-commuter-spends-38-hours-a-year-stuck-in-traffic/272905/" target="_blank">38 hours a year stuck</a> in traffic &mdash; or&nbsp;<a href="http://time.com/2821738/los-angeles-traffic-study/">90 hours a year</a>&nbsp;if you live in LA.</p>
<p>Those numbers&nbsp;get worse in the world's megacities: Commuters in <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1778893/worst-commutes-around-world" target="_blank">Mexico City, Moscow, and Beijing</a> can sit&nbsp;in traffic for hours every day. Here are a few gripping images of those journeys.</p>
<p><em>Drake Baer and&nbsp;Alex Davies contributed to an earlier version of this article.</em></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-home-libraries-2016-8" >10 of the most incredible home libraries around the world</a></strong></p>
<h3>Thousands of people commute to work in Bangladesh by boat. Here, residents of Dhaka take out their umbrellas.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/538e17d6eab8eac734248e94-400-300/thousands-of-people-commute-to-work-in-bangladesh-by-boat-here-residents-of-dhaka-take-out-their-umbrellas.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>The security checks during rush hour in Beijing make for insanely long lines. The checks have been tightened due to an attack in China's Xinjiang region, where dozens were killed in May 2014.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5384a066ecad040409dfdb95-400-300/the-security-checks-during-rush-hour-in-beijing-make-for-insanely-long-lines-the-checks-have-been-tightened-due-to-an-attack-in-chinas-xinjiang-region-where-dozens-were-killed-in-may-2014.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><span>&nbsp;</span></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>It doesn't get much easier once you're actually on the train.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/547de4e1ecad0497146044d9-400-300/it-doesnt-get-much-easier-once-youre-actually-on-the-train.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-worlds-most-extreme-commutes-2016-8#/#getting-home-from-work-in-beijing-is-a-bit-of-a-zoo-too-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/8-podcasts-that-can-make-your-morning-commute-enjoyable-2016-88 podcasts that can make your morning commute enjoyablehttp://www.businessinsider.com/8-podcasts-that-can-make-your-morning-commute-enjoyable-2016-8
Sun, 21 Aug 2016 11:00:00 -0400Kells McPhillips
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57b74b16db5ce925008b7d1e-1117/morning commute.jpg" alt="Morning commute" data-mce-source="Mario Tama/Getty Images" /></p><p>Whether your a city-dweller or a suburbanite &mdash; your commute to work can sometimes feel like a job in and of itself.</p>
<p>Those minutes (and sometimes hours) that tick away&nbsp;between leaving for work and arriving in the office not only feels like wasted time, it can have a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.everup.com/2016/02/29/commuter-hacks-mental-and-physical-health/">major impact&nbsp;on both your mental and physical health</a>.</p>
<p>But what if you could use your commute as an opportunity&nbsp;to&nbsp;learn something new, get inspired for the day ahead, or even get lost in a gut-wrenching real-life murder mystery?</p>
<p>Once again, the all-encompassing&nbsp;world of podcasts can help you do just that. No matter your interests, there&rsquo;s a podcast to help you pass your commute time with ease.</p>
<p>Pack your charger &mdash; your phone&rsquo;s going to be working overtime with these eight podcasts&nbsp;that will make you wish your commute was longer:</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/who-gets-hired-at-bridgewater-2016-8" >Aspiring 'finance bros' may have a hard time getting a job at the world's biggest hedge fund</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dan-pink-what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-job-2016-4" >Bestselling business author Dan Pink shares 2 simple exercises to make work bearable if you hate your job</a></strong></p>
<p><h2><span>10% Happier with Dan Harris</span></h2>
<p>Can you be ambitious and still strive for enlightenment? <em>This</em>&nbsp;is the question Dan Harris &mdash; ABC news anchor&nbsp;and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18505796-10-happier">10% Happier</a><em>&nbsp;&mdash;</em>&nbsp;seeks to unravel in his <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821?mt=2">weekly podcast</a>. After having a panic attack on live television, Harris dubiously turned to meditation as a possible solution for making his life the slightest bit, well, happier. The rest is history. Now, Harris interviews everyone from the <a href="https://player.fm/series/10-happier-with-dan-harris/1-dalai-lama">Dalai Lama</a> to <a href="https://player.fm/series/10-happier-with-dan-harris/21-arianna-huffington">Arianna Huffington</a>, attempting to understand how we can balance our success with the ultimate goal of our meditation practice.</p>
<p>Listen to <a href="http://www.mariobatali.com/">Chef Mario Batali&rsquo;s</a>&nbsp;take on why meditation is an essential aspect of his morning routine.</p></p>
<br/><br/><p><h2><span>Serial</span></h2>
<p>If you haven&rsquo;t jumped on the bandwagon yet &mdash; and you&rsquo;re addicted to Dateline, 48 Hours, or just the ID channel in general &mdash; this is <a href="https://serialpodcast.org/">the podcast</a> for you. One chilling murder investigation is broken up into a season of real life red herons and shocking turns. By the end, you&rsquo;ll be feverishly downloading the&nbsp;<a href="https://serialpodcast.org/season-two/listening-guide">second season</a>, while still in total shock over the finale of season one.</p>
<p>Here&rsquo;s a sneak peak into the <a href="https://serialpodcast.org/season-one">first season</a> of this series. Start listening now:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s Baltimore, 1999. Hae Min Lee, a popular high-school senior, disappears after school one day. Six weeks later detectives arrest her classmate and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, for her murder. He says he&rsquo;s innocent &ndash; though he can&rsquo;t exactly remember what he was doing on that January afternoon. But someone can. A classmate at Woodlawn High School says she knows where Adnan was. The trouble is, she&rsquo;s nowhere to be found.&rdquo;</em></p>
<h3><span>&nbsp;</span></h3></p>
<br/><br/><p><h2><span>Modern Love</span></h2>
<p>A complete 180 in subject matter from the previous podcast, this <a href="http://www.npr.org/podcasts/469516571/modern-love">NPR favorite</a> will have you, &ldquo;fall in love at&nbsp;first listen.&rdquo; Based off&nbsp;the popular New York Times&nbsp;column sharing the same name, each episode includes&nbsp;a reading from a notable essayist or personality that explores the parameters of love.</p>
<p>Pass your next train ride with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvboQW3QOvM">Katie Couric&rsquo;s reading</a> of <a href="http://www.leslielehr.com/">Leslie Lehr</a>&lsquo;s Modern Love essay.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/8-podcasts-that-can-make-your-morning-commute-enjoyable-2016-8#/#-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/best-commuter-backpack-everlane-2016-8We tested what might be one of the most practical backpacks out therehttp://www.businessinsider.com/best-commuter-backpack-everlane-2016-8
Sat, 20 Aug 2016 16:00:00 -0400Ellen Hoffman
<p><em>The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank">Insider Picks</a> team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57b34b3dce38f237008b70dc-1513/f1407718_43bc.jpg" alt="f1407718_43bc" data-mce-source="Everlane" /></a>We spend a lot of time and money trying&nbsp;to make our daily commutes to work a little easier and more enjoyable.</p>
<p>Whether that's&nbsp;purchasing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sony-hear-best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-commuters-2016-8" target="_blank">a pair of noise-cancelling headphones</a> to drown out temperamental toddlers and other people&rsquo;s conversations on the subway or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-case-wallet-alternative-2015-9" target="_blank">a phone case that doubles as a wallet </a>to make your office ID and MetroCard more readily accessible or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-mens-dress-shoes-paul-evans-martin-wholecut-leather-oxford-review-2016-7" target="_blank">a pair of dress shoes that won't kill your feet</a>, the little things can make a huge difference in the mornings.</p>
<p>In this vein, a few lucky members of the&nbsp;Insider Picks team were&nbsp;excited to try out <a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank">Everlane's new backpack, which was made specifically with the modern commuter in mind</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/everlane-clothing-startup-spotlight-2016-3" target="_blank">We've already talked at length about why we&nbsp;like Everlane</a><span>. To reiterate, though,&nbsp;</span><span>Everlane isn't your traditional clothing retailer.&nbsp;</span><span>Unlike the J.Crews and Banana Republics of the industry, high clothing markups are nonexistent at Everlane; instead, the company promotes transparency.&nbsp;</span><span>On its website, the retailer breaks down <a href="http://www.pjtra.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-all%2Fproducts%2Fmens-sweatshirt-hoodie-pull-grey-marled" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">how much it costs</a></span><span>&nbsp;to make its clothing and accessories (labor, materials, transporting the apparel, and duties). It compares its prices with those of traditional retailers. The Modern Commuter Backpack we're&nbsp;recommending, for instance, goes for $68 at Everlane, and Everlane claims traditional retailers would sell it&nbsp;for $160.</span>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Transparent pricing aside, the backpack is great for a host of others reasons. Most importantly for commuters, <strong>Everlane's backpack doesn't feel overly casual for the typical office.</strong> At Business Insider's NYC headquarters, which adheres to a business causal dress code, it feels far from out of place. Below, our testers go so far as to call it one of the most stylish, practical, tech-friendly, and affordable backpacks currently on the market.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57b33dfadb5ce94f008b702a-924/20160802_the_commuter_backpack_revdnm68_desk.jpg" alt="20160802_the_commuter_backpack_revdnm68_desk" data-mce-source="Everlane" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Tester #1: Breton Fischetti, senior director, commerce:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Compared to my old backpack, the construction of this one feels very solid, and I like the minimalist design and lack of visible branding. The fabric is thick and durable. The backpack looks and feels high-quality. The zippers stay put and don't feel like they're going to break when the bag is overstuffed.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The slim design is great for commuting because it isn't too bulky to carry in a crowd. &nbsp;It also fits more than you would expect for a relatively slim design. I was able to carry a rolled up yoga mat securely while biking. The mat stuck out of the top, but&nbsp;I didn&rsquo;t have to worry that the zippers were going to fall down. There's also a padded pouch on the inside that's great for carrying a laptop safely.</p>
<p><strong>Tester #2: Ellen Hoffman, commerce editor:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I'm a big fan of Herschel Supply Co.'s backpacks, but so is everyone else these days. I can't tell you how many of them I spot on my commute to work&nbsp;every day. Everlane's backpack is much less ubiquitous. It's also one of the most stylish and tech-friendly backpacks I've come across&nbsp;for under $100 &mdash; usually it's one or the other, it's&nbsp;hardly ever&nbsp;both. I'm not the backpack-carrying type during the workweek; I prefer my purse. But I've brought this backpack on my most recent weekend trips, and it's nice to be able to know where all of my stuff is and access it quickly and efficiently.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Tester #3: Brandt Ranj, commerce reporter, tech:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">As someone who&rsquo;s always fallen on the messenger bag side of the "backpack or messenger bag" question, I&rsquo;m surprised at much much I like this backpack. It&rsquo;s on the smaller size, which would typically make it a non-starter, but its large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop with some accessories. I find its small, front-side zipper pocket to be very useful for cables and a USB battery pack. It also doesn&rsquo;t hurt that it&rsquo;s definitely the most stylish backpack I&rsquo;ve ever owned. I use it daily on my commute, but have also brought it on weekend trips back home.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57b34b7cce38f221008b711a-1580/cd243b28_cbe1.jpg" alt="cd243b28_cbe1" data-mce-source="Everlane" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Everlane's <a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVHR0pGTEFFREhLRE0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2Fcollections%2Fmens-backpacks-bags%2Fproducts%2Fmens-commuter-back-pack-reversedenim" target="_blank">Modern Commuter Backpack</a>&nbsp;retails for $68&nbsp;and comes in three great colors, navy, black, and gray. &nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-hoodie-zip-up-sweatshirt-for-men-everlane-2016-4" >We tested what might be one of the best hoodies out there</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/most-popular-wallet-kickstarter-2016-4" >People are so excited about this wallet that it’s become the biggest one in Kickstarter history</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-commuter-backpack-everlane-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/klifit-backpack-bluetooth-lock-2016-8This backpack can lock via Bluetooth and alert you if your belongings are missinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/klifit-backpack-bluetooth-lock-2016-8
Fri, 19 Aug 2016 10:40:00 -0400Clinton Nguyen
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57b61c78db5ce9b20f8b799d-1299/abc-backpack-04.jpg" alt="klifit-abc-backpack" data-mce-source="Klifit/Kickstarter"></p><p></p>
<p>Few backpacks on the market today come with built-in locks, so it can be easy for pickpocketers to snag something when you set your bag down. </p>
<p>But one startup, called KliFit, is releasing a backpack that keeps your belongings secure with a Bluetooth lock, and can scan the items in the bag to let you know if anything is missing. The <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1128266564/the-most-versatile-backpack-with-abc-functions">ABC Backpack launched a Kickstarter</a> funding campaign on August 15, and has already surpassed its goal.</p>
<p>Its locking system consists of three parts: a belt, a latch, and a locking deck. To lock the bag, you pull the metal latch out of a hidden compartment in the backpack's back lining, attach it to the belt (which is also stored in the lining), and click the latch into a loading dock on the top of the backpack. When the latch is locked into the deck, the zippers can't be opened.</p>
<p><div>
<div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:56%"><iframe src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/ShamefulCarefulChamois" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="100%" height="100%" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<p> </p>
<p>The backpack connects to an app, and automatically unlocks when it senses that your phone is nearby. You can also unlock it through the app. If your phone dies or you don't have it handy, you can also program a "color code" into the lock that allows you to open it using a combination of long and short clicks. When you tap the lock, a built-in light flashes a certain color — a short tap changes the color and a long tap selects it. </p>
<p>The KliFit backpack also comes with three Bluetooth-enabled tags that users can clip to their belongings. The lock's loading deck can then scan the inside of the backpack to check whether the tagged items are there, and alert the user via the app if anything is missing. </p>
<p>The 33-liter, ballistic-nylon bag also comes with three layers of pockets, which you can use to organize your gear. It also has a number of additional small pockets, as well as an internal battery pack that you can use to charge your mobile device on the go.</p>
<p>You can get a single bag plus a 5,000 mAh battery pack for an early bird price of $125 <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1128266564/the-most-versatile-backpack-with-abc-functions/description">on Kickstarter</a>, with an anticipated delivery date in April 2017. The bag is expected to retail for $300. </p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/commuter-backpacks-2015-5" >18 backpacks for the cool commuter</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/klifit-backpack-bluetooth-lock-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kaisr-inflatable-sofa-can-fold-into-a-backpack-2016-4">This sofa inflates in seconds and can collapse into a backpack</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/best-products-for-commuting-2016-813 products that will make your commute more bearablehttp://www.businessinsider.com/best-products-for-commuting-2016-8
Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:43:00 -0400Ian Phillips
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57ae052fdd0895c41d8b4b5f-893/screen shot 2016-08-10 at 6.05.31 pm.png" alt="JourniDock Garmin GPS" data-mce-source="JourniDock" data-link="http://journidock.com/photos/" /></p><p></p>
<p>Commuting to and from work takes up a big chunk of your day. The train, car, bus, or bike you take to the office serves as a third home.&nbsp;</p>
<p>And of course, you want to make that experience as pleasant and efficient as possible.&nbsp;</p>
<p>From a great app to a great car organizer to a great way to stay dry, here are 13&nbsp;products that will improve your commute.</p><h3>An iPhone case with extra storage</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57ae0530dd0895c41d8b4b62-400-300/an-iphone-case-with-extra-storage.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>If you want to guarantee you'll never lose your subway pass, store it in this handy iPhone case. The Speck CandyShell Card Phone Case will hold your credit cards and any spare change, too.</p>
<p><em><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2aZ3Uqb" target="_blank">Buy one here&gt;&gt;&gt;<br /></a></strong></em><strong><span>Speck CandyShell Card Phone Case,&nbsp;</span>$</strong><strong>25.66</strong></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>A way to turn your car into a work station</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57ae0530dd0895c41d8b4b63-400-300/a-way-to-turn-your-car-into-a-work-station.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>If you can never unplug, or simply need a better way to organize your car, then JourniDock is for you.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://journidock.com/store/package-comparison/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Buy one here&gt;&gt;&gt;</strong></em></a><br /><strong>$139.95-$179.95</strong></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>A device that always allows you to be on Wi-Fi</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57ae0530dd0895c41d8b4b64-400-300/a-device-that-always-allows-you-to-be-on-wi-fi.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>If you have trouble disconnecting, Karma makes sure you never have to log off the internet again.</p>
<p><em><strong><a href="https://yourkarma.com/" target="_blank">Buy one here&gt;&gt;</a></strong></em><br /><strong>Price varies</strong></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-products-for-commuting-2016-8#/#the-best-navigation-tool-in-the-world-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-riding-the-new-york-subway-2016-710 tips every New York newbie should know before riding the subwayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-riding-the-new-york-subway-2016-7
Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:20:43 -0400Emma Rechenberg
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5665ec85eab8ea7f6cb90629-2167/nyc-subway-4.jpg" alt="nyc subway" data-mce-source="istock" /></p><p>I moved from Missouri to New York City for my summer internship almost two months ago. The city is incredibly different from the Midwest in more ways than one, but navigating the subway system&nbsp;has been one of the&nbsp;greatest&nbsp;learning experiences I've had since my arrival.</p>
<p>I am by no means an expert on riding the subway, but I've picked up some tips during my many commutes throughout the five boroughs, so I've compiled them here.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you follow this list, you'll&nbsp;slash your chances of annoying some native New Yorkers by at least half.&nbsp;If I can do it, so can you.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-lauer-lists-second-hamptons-home-2016-7" >Matt Lauer just put this gorgeous Hamptons mansion on the market for $18 million</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T FORGET:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Businessinsider.Life" >Follow Business Insider's Lifestyle page on Facebook!</a></strong></p>
<h3>Don't hog the ticket machines.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5788fa164321f16b018b8877-400-300/dont-hog-the-ticket-machines.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>There's nothing more frustrating than waiting behind a group of tourists to refill your Metro card and hear your train pass by. If you're visiting the city, base your Metro card value on how long and how often you plan on&nbsp;commuting&nbsp;in the city.</p>
<p>If your vacation lasts&nbsp;for more than a day and you hope to see all of the main tourist sites via subway, I recommend the 7-day unlimited pass. You can buy it for&nbsp;$31.&nbsp;If you're not ready to commit to that, quickly pick the single ride option.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Note: Always hold on to your card. It costs an additional dollar to purchase a new one, so don't throw it away after each ride.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Know if you're headed uptown or downtown.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5788eb4b4321f1362f8b7e23-400-300/know-if-youre-headed-uptown-or-downtown.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>The difference between uptown and downtown is&nbsp;essentially the first thing taught in New York&nbsp;Subway 101.</p>
<p>If you're in Manhattan, you're either headed uptown towards Queens or downtown towards Brooklyn. Figuring out which direction your destination is closer to will assure you board the right side of the track, and will save you a lot of time (and embarrassment).</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Use Google Maps to figure out your train route.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5788f89688e4a714088b8599-400-300/use-google-maps-to-figure-out-your-train-route.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>There are plenty of subway apps to choose from, but I've found Google Maps to be the easiest to navigate. Odds are you're already using the app to walk around street level.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Hit the "travel by train" option, and you'll have the recommended trains to take to your destination. There may be a few options to choose from, so opt for&nbsp;whichever station you are closest to.&nbsp;</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-riding-the-new-york-subway-2016-7#/#let-the-people-getting-off-of-the-train-exit-before-you-get-on-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a>